"Well, now what," he thought in what could only be described as a mutter, weaving through the busy airport with his carry-on bag slung over his shoulder.

Probably should have thought of that before you rushed off on a plane, the voice responded.

At first, he'd been wary of the voice, afraid of what it meant about his sanity. Next, he'd become, understandably, distrustful. The man had had a hand in destroying an entire galactic civilization, after all. Now, however, he trusted the man completely, counted him as friend.

"This was your idea, Nephrite," he directed his thoughts towards the man. Apparently, that other piece of himself didn't have full access to his mind like he'd previously believed. He'd learned to purposely address him, while outwardly hiding any indication that he was talking to a voice in his head.

Technically, I said it may be time. I didn't say you immediately had to do it, Nathanial.

Nathanial rolled his eyes, knowing the voice would also be aware of it. A year before, the voice had started. Two months later, he'd broken through the barrier and the memories had flooded in and he had tried his best to escape everything. He'd wanted away from the pain, the guilt, Khaled, Zoran, away from the chance he would run into whoever Jadeite and his Prince had become. Her. During his 10 months in America, back in the embrace of his family, he'd come to terms with who Nephrite had been, the things he had done. It had taken Nephrite's push to get him on a plane and Nathanial had been afraid that if he didn't do it immediately, he wouldn't do it at all.

Nathanial stopped by the baggage claim, watching the conveyer belt spit out suitcase after suitcase until his arrived. He grabbed the handle as it slid by, pulling it from the belt and turning towards the doors. He exited the building and sat on a bench with a sigh. He had rushed into this. He didn't even know where to go first, who to see, where to stay.

Can you sense them? Nephrite asked.

"Of course," Nathanial answered, leaning his head back to stare at the stars. He could vaguely sense them in varying directions. They weren't together. Zoran and Khaled were settled into different locations, not moving. But, the last, whatever he called himself now, was moving. The connection was growing stronger, closer. "He's coming here."

Of course, if their powers have settled in enough, they could sense you now, too.

"I didn't consider it," he answered. He wasn't sure he was ready to face any of them. Impulsive, he'd always been so damn impulsive. So had Nephrite. It must have been fundamental to who they were. "I don't think we're ready for that."

I'm not sure we have any choice in the matter now, Nephrite responded as a sleek red car pulled up to the curve.

The blonde that got out of the car was exactly what Nathanial had expected. Shorter than him, almost boyish in appearance. Except, there wasn't a teasing, playful gleam in the blue eyes. The younger man stuck his hands in his pocket and met his gaze with determination. He made it clear he wasn't going to make any further move; the proverbial ball was in Nathanial's court.

Nathanial rose and headed that way slowly. He noticed the minute relaxation that entered the man's frame. He'd been afraid of his reception. When Nathanial reached him, he held out a hand, "Nathanial."

"Khaled told me," he answered. "I'm Jacob."

They shook hands and then stared at each other for several minutes. The silence wasn't necessarily uncomfortable, though it did tinge on awkward. Finally, Jacob jerked his head towards the rear of the car, "Let's get your bags in. What part of town are you staying?"

"I'm… not sure," Nathanial admitted, hefting his suitcase into the trunk and tossing his carry-on over it. "I hadn't thought that far ahead."

"Okay, we can figure it out," Jacob told him as he climbed back into the driver's seat.

This is happening fast, Nephrite responded. Nathanial had noticed that the presence had retreated, but he'd known he was still watching and aware. Nephrite had grown uncomfortable, almost shy, Nathanial was surprised to notice.

Nathanial gave a mental shrugged before steeling himself and climbing into the passenger seat. When Nathanial entered the car, Jacob was on the phone.

"Well, is she there?" he asked and waited for an answer. "I don't really know what else to do… Yeah, ask her… Her mom, at least, would… No… I'll talk to her… Don't you guys want to be there?... I'll ask him… Probably not… I'll let you know."

He hung up the phone and slowly pulled away from the curb, "How many people are you comfortable seeing?"

"None?" he responded and Nephrite gave a snort from the back of his mind.

"Okay."

It fell silent after that. He hadn't expected a conversation filled car ride and he was not disappointed. Jacob watched the road quietly, drumming his fingers every now and again. Nephrite continued to glance around the interior of the car, taking in the premium features, leather seats, and faint scents of lavender and smoke.

"Nice car," he finally stated.

"It's Rei's," Jacob responded, drumming his fingers again.

This peaked Nephrite's interest. Nathanial felt him stir, the curiosity grow.

"Ah," Nathanial responded. "Is that… her?"

Jacob glanced at him from the corner of his eye, drummed his fingers on the steering wheel for a full 10 seconds, before giving a tight nod, "Yes. It's her."

"Is that where we are going?" he asked. He didn't doubt it. It wasn't the worst idea either, as long as there weren't too many people there. Nathanial really didn't want to see that many people.

"Yes, I'm not really sure where else to go at this point," the younger man responded.

Nathanial nodded, content enough with the answer, "If this is her car, I can't wait to see her house."

Jacob laughed, "She's the caretaker of a Shinto Shrine. She lives there. The car was bribe from her father. It… didn't work."

Nathanial smiled and Nephrite gave a hearty laugh, So, the Martian Princess is as fiery as ever.

"Will anyone else be there?" Nathanial asked.

"Just Rei. Possibly Ami. I can call Rei back and tell her to hold off on that if you'd prefer. She's most likely to figure out where you can go, though. Her mom owns a few rental properties," Jacob answered, shifting his eye from the road to Nathanial's face for a brief second. "Ami is the reborn Mercurian."

Jacob hadn't said anything, but Nathanial could tell. Or, at least, he just knew. Zoran had found the reborn Princess of Mercury. Just as Jacob had found the reborn Princess of Mars. Just as he wanted… He wasn't sure yet. The option, he supposed.

"Will Zoran be with her?"

Jacob shrugged but didn't answer. Nathanial felt the shift. He almost missed it, consumed as he and Nephrite both were with what they might want. But, they both noticed it and grew alert immediately. Discomfort. A mild tension.

He's no better at hiding things than Jadeite had been, the words were teasing but still tense.

Nathanial studied the young man for a few long minutes. Jacob didn't look at him, or speak, again. Nathanial didn't break the silence either. He wouldn't push. He could push. He could command. He wasn't used to taking no for an answer and neither was Nephrite. But, he allowed the silence, tension, and discomfort to grow.

Finally, as the car passed a sign stating Private Drive and began to climb a steep hill, Jacob sighed, "He's likely busy. I haven't spoken to Zoran since we sensed you coming back. He wanted to tell her personally."

Her. His chest tightened and his scalp prickled. It was his her. Or, who he might want to be his her someday. The reborn her who had been his her. Hearing a reference to her raised his curiosity. What was she like? Why had Zoran been so worried about talking with her personally? Would she mind?

As his mind whirred, Nathanial was aware of Nephrite growing stronger and then fading back to almost nothing, as though he wasn't sure whether or not he wanted to hear about her. They'd both known they would see her eventually. Nathanial would certainly see her, anyway. Nephrite had toyed with the idea of a quick escape before he could.

As the idea of her became a reality, Nathanial felt Nephrite settled in. A choice made. He wasn't leaving without seeing her first.

-x-

Regardless of how dismissive Jacob had been, the shrine was impressive. It wasn't the mansion the car had hinted towards, but it was well furnished and roomy. It was also clear by the rapid conversation between Rei and Jacob that this was often used as a meeting space for the group, as they called it. Nathanial was just happy to note the group was not gathering tonight.

Ami, however, would be joining them. Rei had stated it in a way the brooked no argument as soon as they had exited the car. Jacob had looked at him and shrugged. Nathanial had almost laughed; Nephrite had. Neither really minded the Mercurian joining them. The Mercurian had been a voice of reason in the past and they felt that could be helpful if Ami was remotely similar.

As the door opened and the petite woman entered, her mouth turned own in a semblance of a frown, Nathanial felt oddly relaxed. Nephrite seemed to ease, as well. The frown, they both recognized, was contemplative, not displeased. As if to prove the men's assumptions correct, a small smile flitted across Ami's mouth as she stopped and bowed, "I'm Ami."

"Nathanial," he gave a slight bow. Then, as an after-thought, added, "And, Nephrite."

"HE'S STILL THERE?!" the should came from three different directions. Ami had the decency to flush at the outburst. Rei and Jacob stared at him unabashedly.

Nephrite gave a small laugh, They agree that I should abandon you.

"Not on your life," Nathanial answered Nephrite. Then, to the others, he added, "He is still here. For now. We understand that it won't be lasting. I'm assuming the others have left?"

"Not long after we remembered," Jacob answered.

"Fascinating," Ami mumbled to herself. "Perhaps he feels there is another responsibility, unlike Zoisite and Jadeite."

"Perhaps," Nathanial shrugged, though he gave her a small smile.

"Does he ever… do things?" Jacob questioned.

Nephrite perked up, Interesting thought.

"Not. On. Your. Life," Nathanial repeated. "Don't give him any ideas."

"Fascinating," Ami mumbled again, and Nathanial rose an eyebrow.

She blushed, "Sorry, it's just… different. I'm sure there will be time for that later. I'm sure you're exhausted."

Nathanial nodded, "Quite."

"Right. Well, my mother is letting the apartment next to mine. It's a small studio, typically used by college students. Zoran is letting the nicer apartment right now, sorry. She won't charge you rent if I tell her you're a… friend," Ami offered, somewhat awkwardly.

"I can pay for it," Nathanial smiled, ignoring Nephrite's Well, don't tell her that.

"I'll show you the way. It's not far. That was part of the location appeal. Close to the shrine and the… bakery…" she trailed off and Nathanial felt the tension rise in the room.

He glanced at Jacob, who was staring intently at the ceiling. Rei attempted to subtly nudge Jacob. If the couple's actions hadn't been telling enough, Ami was frowning again. Except, this time it wasn't a contemplative frown. It was displeased.

"I assume… the bakery has something to do with her," Nathanial stated matter-of-factly. There was no use beating around the bush.

Ami gave a short nod, "Makoto runs the bakery. Zoran works there."

Makoto, Nephrite thought, sounding as though he approved.

Nathanial had to agree. It seemed to fit, upped the steadily increasing curiosity, "Will I see her?"

Ami was quiet for several long seconds, "She's not ready."